His Name

Perhaps like me, you think of some families whose names bring great fondness - good reputations, integrity, kindness. On the other hand, other names ... well, not so much! The psalmist writes, "I will make Your Name to be remembered in all generations; therefore the peoples will praise and give You thanks forever and ever." (Psalm 45:17 AMP). Throughout Scripture, God speaks of His great name. While we are born-into our family's name and we choose the names of our children, no one named God! He introduced and identified Himself to His chosen people. While tending sheep, God revealed His Name to Moses: "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14 ESV). In other words, God is exactly who He is ... He can't be anything nor anyone else. He is every bit as holy and righteous now as He has always been [from eternity past] and will always be [into eternity future]. He can be no other way! His Name represents every good and perfect attribute, characteristic of who He is. As Jesus prayed Himself and taught us to pray, He said address God this way: "Father, hallowed be Your Name" (Luke 11:2 (ESV). We live in a world when God's Name is abused, disrespected, dishonored and watered-down, however, His nature remains what it is - righteous and holy. He says, "I am the Lord; that is My Name; My glory I give to no other." (Isaiah 42:8). How easily we forget the privilege that is ours to sing-of and pray-to I AM, The One of unchanging and holy nature. Yes, what a privilege and joy! May it be my reputation, your reputation - from generation to generation, we ... make His Name known!

Fresh and Precious Overflow

Perhaps we forget just how precious fresh and running water is! The lack of it globally slipped past us as we've grown so accustomed to what naturally happens when we turn on the facet. Hear David, "Sing praises to the LORD, Who dwells in Zion; declare among the peoples His deeds." (Psalm 9:11-12 NASB). Throughout the Old Testament, we read God is enthroned in and above the heavens. He also [symbolically] dwells locally in His tabernacle: "The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven" (Psalm 11:4a NASB). We know, of course, God is omnipresent - He is confined nor limited by time or space; He is in all and above all. What a wonder to declare that now the Redeemed are now God's temple, and that God's Spirit dwell in each of us (1 Corinthians 3:16). How is it then that our spirits lack the precious fresh Living Water of Christ, resembling instead a cistern of stale and stagnant water? Jesus made it clear that whoever believes, in him or her is a heart flowing "rivers of living water" (John 7:38 ESV). The life of a genuine Child of God will overflow with praises to The LORD and will declare His wondrous deeds. We are His tabernacle, His temple bearing daily sacrifices of joy, delight and exuberant praise. Christ alive in us ... a fresh and precious overflow!

Good Practice

Good practices can shape and re-shape our lives. Mister Bill and I have recently begun having a daily protein shake, something for most of our lives we've managed to ... avoid. It's surprising how "good taste" can change your mind about something! David begins Psalm 9 with four "I will" statements: "I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart - I will tell of all Your marvelous works - I will be glad and rejoice in You - I will sing praise to Your Name, O Most High." (Verses 1-2 NKJV). We don't know the circumstances of David's life when he wrote this psalm but [from the rest of the psalm], we learn he was troubled by enemies. We can relate to this, right? We cannot escape times of fear, sorrow and discouragement. We are told in 1 Peter 5:8 the enemy "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." A good practice of David's was to remember the past and how God had delivered him - it made him confident in the present. "The LORD also will be refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble, And those who know Your Name will put their trust in You; for You, LORD, have nasforsaken those who seek You." (Verses 9-10 NKJV). Yes, David knew the God of past deliverance was the God of his present and future deliverance! Mister Bill likes the taste of his Frosted Mango shake and I love my Strawberry Slush - it's a bonus practice that the shakes are good for us. It's always good that we remember the nature of our Great God and His gracious works - yes, remembering is just ... good practice.

MWB Blog Break

 MWB will Resume 08-20-2026
Stay in The Word!
Miles of Smiles, Beverly  

Wait Patiently

Instant oatmeal, rotisserie chicken, self-adhesive stamps, drive-through windows, call-ahead seating … all these have something in common. They satisfy a sense of urgency! What is urgent? One online definition read, “too pressing to permit further delay.” We all have those hurry-hurry-rush-rush moments - sometimes several times a day! Take a moment to consider how much time a young David spent on the backside of nowhere with only sheep for company. Of all the typies of livestock, sheep require a lot of care? They possess no natural defense like claws or sharp teeth - only to run; they can become easily lost with no sense of direction to find their way home; they relay completely on a shepherd for their food, water, safety and rest. Perhaps their greatest need is the patience of a the shepherd! Although we read several places in the psalms David’s lack of patience, it was one of the most urgent needs in his life and he recognized it: "I waited patiently for the LORD," he writes in Psalm 40:1. What seems most urgent is not always most important. In my times of patiently waiting on God, I've learned He hears me, delivers me from destruction, sets my feet in a firm place, secures myour my steps, gives my heart a new song (from Verses 2-3). It may seem paradoxical (illogical) but truly the most urgent thing we can do is ... wait patiently.